Wrist and Carpal Arthrodeses. A 1-year Follow-up Study.

Background Wrist and carpal arthrodesis is a well-established surgical intervention in orthopedic surgery, primarily aimed at alleviating chronic pain and restoring functional stability. The procedure involves the fusion of two or more wrist bones, eliminating joint mobility to reduce pain and improve hand function. It is generally considered a last-resort treatment when conservative measures such as medication, physical therapy, and orthotic support fail.

Candidates for arthrodesis typically include patients with severe degenerative changes, rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, or significant wrist trauma, where pain and instability severely impair daily activities. The procedure aims to improve quality of life by enabling essential functions without the limitations imposed by unstable or arthritic joints.

Surgical success is measured primarily by pain relief and functional improvement. Outcomes depend on careful patient selection, precise surgical technique, and structured postoperative follow-up. Long-term studies and systematic evaluations are essential to refine treatment protocols and identify predictive factors for successful outcomes while mitigating complications such as infection, nonunion, and adjacent joint degeneration.

Objective This study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of various wrist and carpal arthrodesis procedures, including radioscapholunate, scaphoid-trapezium-trapezoid (STT), and four-corner arthrodesis, through systematic postoperative follow-up and patient outcome assessment.

Methods Inclusion Criteria:

• All patients undergoing wrist or carpal arthrodesis, regardless of the specific technique.
• Indications include advanced degenerative changes unresponsive to conservative treatment.

Preoperative Evaluation:

• Bilateral range-of-motion (ROM) assessment (flexion, extension, ulnar and radial deviation, supination, pronation).
• Imaging: X-ray (AP, lateral, oblique) and CT with 3D reconstruction.
• Grip strength measurement with a dynamometer.
• Pain assessment using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS).
• Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs): PRWHE, QuickDASH, and EQ-5D-5L.

Postoperative Follow-up:

• CT at 8 weeks to assess bone healing, with possible extension of cast duration and reassessment at 12 weeks.
• Referral to occupational therapy for rehabilitation.
• Follow-up at 3 months and 1 year, repeating preoperative assessments and X-ray evaluation for secondary osteoarthritis.

Data Collection \& Analysis:

• Pre- vs. postoperative comparisons of pain, function, and grip strength.
• Statistical analyses: t-tests, chi-square, ANOVA, Cox regression, linear and logistic regression.
• Documentation of prior wrist surgeries and indications for arthrodesis.

Sample Size \& Statistical Power: With an estimated annual inclusion of 1-5 patients and a total of 10-20 participants, statistical power is limited. The study acknowledges the risk of Type II errors due to small sample size.

Regulatory Approvals \& Ethics:

• The project was reviewed by the Regional Ethics Committee (REK) and deemed a quality control study, not requiring REK approval.
• Approval from the Data Protection Officer (PVO) in Vestre Viken is pending.
• Patients will provide informed consent, ensuring voluntary participation and data confidentiality.

Data Security \& Management:

• Anonymized data stored on a secure research server.
• Key-coded data stored separately in Medinsight.
• The study follows institutional guidelines for data protection and patient rights.

Expected Impact:

• Enhancing the understanding of wrist arthrodesis outcomes to improve clinical decision-making and patient care.
• Identifying factors that optimize surgical success and rehabilitation.

Timeline:

• Regulatory approvals: Winter/Spring 2024.
• Patient recruitment: Fall 2024.
• Inclusion period: 5 years.
• Follow-up completion: 1 year postoperatively for each patient.